WVDOH worker killed Monday; victim’s name released by officials

LETART, W.Va. — A Letart man was killed Monday evening while working to remove a fallen tree on Union Campground Road, according to a press release from the Mason County Sheriff’s Department.

The man, Steven Lloyd Oldaker, 52, was a West Virginia Department of Highways worker and was removing the tree that had fallen during a severe storm that passed through the area at around 6:30 p.m.

The incident is being investigated by the sheriff’s department. Also assisting at the scene were the Mason County EMS, WVDOH, and the New Haven Fire Department.

The West Virginia Department of Transportation had the following statement on its social media sites today:

“Our hearts are heavy today as we grieve the loss of one of our own.

Monday evening, a Mason County Division of Highways crew was removing a tree from the road when it fell and claimed the life of one of our workers.

He had five years of service with the WVDOH. Please keep his family, friends, and co-workers in your thoughts.”

Funeral arrangements are pending at the Foglesong Funeral Home in Mason.

(Editor’s note: According to multiple Charleston-area media outlets, another DOH worker was injured in Roane County last week when they were struck by a rock while clearing debris following last month’s floods.)

Mindy Kearns

Special to OVP

Mindy Kearns is a freelance writer for Ohio Valley Publishing who lives in Mason County.